Personal flotation device

ABSTRACT

The invention, is an improved PFD is flexible tube shell with caps urged over and preferably sealed onto each end, each cap end having a clasp and preferably worn as a necklace by joining the clasps on each end. The flexible tube shell has a longitudinal groove and a long distensible sack with ends each having gas source. Said sack is disposed internally through the length of the tube. To activate, the PFD is streatched or jerked to pull the end caps off the tube. This releases gas from to fill sack expanding outward causing adequate pressure to cause the flexible tube shell to be split along the internal groove and is jettisoned. The PFD is a gas filled ring shape.

BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention relates to personal flotation devices (PFD), specifically the inflated type of devices that are user operated. It is impractical for participants of many active water sports to wear any type of life jackets even when they are in open water. In many of the physically demanding water sports as surfing, diving, swimming and sailing PFD are not used, usually, because they hamper body movements and interfere with their equipment. Surfing is a popular water sports that thousands of participants have been drowned. Flotation devices often are not practical for use by swimmers and divers. Scuba divers are often lost to drowning because there was no last line of protection. Many PFD provided by manufacturers are worn around the waist either in boxes or in the belt. After inflation most all of these PFD require the wearer to get into openings or buckle straps. When the victim is reached for rescue most PFD interferes with the efforts and must be removed for resuscitation.

[0002] The U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,840 to Powers (1998) is an example of a PFD that the user wears on the wrist and is inflated in place, however, deployment requires that both hands to be momentary occupied. This is time that the wearer is not likely to have and if successfully deployed will be only hold the attached hand at the surface. An example of a PFD that the user wears on the arm is U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,612 to Markwitz (2000) still more are ones that the user wears in a box on a waistline belt are the U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,557 to Biesecker (1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,431 to Biesecker (1998) and also to Bisecker is U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,177 (1999). A combination waist belt and shoulder PFD is the U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,562 to Brown (2000) and continued to U.S. Pat. NO. 6,394,866 to Brown (2002). Another PFD shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,512 to Rupert (1998) provides for concentrically joined rings to be inflated and worn at times for therapeutic swims. A transparent PFD for sun tanning purposes is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,395 to Knoll (1999).

SUMMARY

[0003] The invention, is an improved PFD is flexible tube shell with caps urged over and preferably sealed onto each end, each cap end having a clasp and preferably worn as a necklace by joining the clasps on each end. The flexible tube shell has an internal longitudinal groove and a distensible sack is longitudinally disposed internally throughout the length of the tube. An inflation means is connected to fill the sack. The gas source may be either a chemical gas generator or a conventional compressed gas cartridge.

[0004] A PFD is achieved when either the wearer or a rescuer pulls or yanks any place around the clasped “necklace” with enough force to pull the end cap off the tube. This punctures the seal of the cartridge releases gas from to fill each cell that expand outward causing adequate pressure to cause the flexible tube shell to be split along the internal groove and jettisoned.

[0005] To improve visibility the sack ideally will be a visible reflective color. Another aspect of the invention is that the tube of PFD could be decorated that would encourage it's use.

[0006] Accordingly several objects and advantages of the invention provide a PFD with broader use applications.

DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the PFD when relaxed.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a prospective view of the PFD in clasped position.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a prospective view of the PFD inflated showing tube jettisoned.

DESCRIPTION

[0010]FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a PFD 10 relaxed in accordance with the invention a flexible tube shell 1 has with tab end cap 2 and opposite end receptacle end cap 6 sealed to the end of flexible tube shell 1. Said shell 1 has internal longitudinal groove 7. A long sack 10, with ends 12 containing gas source 5, is disposed in flexible tube shell 1 and by means connected inside both tab end cap 2 and end receptacle end cap 16.

[0011]FIG. 2 is an orthographic view of the PFD by means bent to permit the tab end cap 2 being joined to the receptacle end cap 6 circumscribing neck area 30.

[0012]FIG. 3 is an orthographic view of the inflated device 20 shown, also shown is a main tube 1 having been split 8 at groove 7 and is jettisoned. Filled gas sack 10 is shown with tab end cap 2 by means joined to receptacle end cap 6 circumscribing neck area 30. 

1. In a personal flotation device, comprising: a extendable sack, said sack having two ends is longitudinally disposed in a flexible tubular shell fitted with end caps, said end are secured internal to each cap, a gas source having a release device is contained in said end of each of said cells, and each end cap has clasp feature and the invention is by manually bent around the neck and said end caps are joined by said clasps, whereby personal flotation device achieved means pulling and stretching the invention causing said end caps to be pulled from said flexible tube shell, thereby activating said gas source thereby releasing gas from said devices expanding said gas sack to inflate thereby splitting said flexible tube shell along said internal groove causing said flexible tube shell to be jettisoned. 